Knee Pain: How Chiropratic with Chirostrength Twin Cities Can Help
Updated: Aug 3, 2022
Your first step in managing knee pain is to decide if you need to see a healthcare provider. We discuss how to make this choice in our blog titled Knee Pain: What Do? I suggest you read Knee pain: what do? before reading this blog
So, you have decided you cannot manage your knee pain on your own and you make an appointment with a healthcare provider (a PT, DC, or MD). What should you expect? The first thing your doctor should do is try to figure out what is causing your knee pain (i.e. a diagnosis). In order to do this, they should have you fill out a detailed history of your current injury and a comprehensive history of your general health. Following this, they should perform a physical exam that includes, range of motion, muscle strength, ligament integrity, reflexes, and sensation. If more information is needed, your doctor may order additional tests such as an x-ray, MRI, ultrasound, and/or blood tests.
Why is it so important for a thorough history and exam to be done? Most knee pain is caused by minor conditions like strains, sprains, bursitis, tendonitis, joint irritation, or general deconditioning of the knee (11). However, knee pain can be caused by serious conditions such as a blood clot, infection, rheumatoid arthritis, and fracture (11,12). A chiropractor, PT, and most primary care MD’s cannot and should not treat people with these conditions; a referral to a specialist is required. So, if you are planning to see a healthcare provider who does not require you to fill out a history or have an exam, find a different doctor.
If you choose to make an appointment with Chirostrength Twin Cities we will start with a detailed history and exam. If we determine that you have a condition that we cannot treat, we will refer you to one of our many trusted referral partners. But this is not the norm. Most knee pain responds well to conservative management; so, we will likely be able to help you (1,7,8,9,10).
How we approach knee pain
Phase 1: Relieve
Main goal: reduce your pain
Treatments: we use chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue such as IASTM (or brand of graston) and MRT (our brand of ART), and vibration therapy to alleviate your knee pain. We also partner with practitioners who can perform acupuncture, electrical therapy, and medical injections if needed (8,10).
Phase 2: Restore
Main goal: Get your knee’s strength and function back to where it was before your injury (1,2,3,13).
Treatments: simple strength and flexibility exercises will be used to help your knee become more resilient. These exercises will directly focus on the knee, but they will also address the hip, ankle, foot, and any other areas that are contributing to your pain.
Phase 3: Revitalize
Main goals: Make you stronger and more resilient than you were before your injury. If you are stronger, you are less likely to re-injure your knee (4,5,6).
Treatments: more complex strength and mobility/flexibility exercises will be used to make your entire body stronger and more resilient. We tailor our exercise plans to your physical limitations, goals, and preferences. We want you to leave our clinic stronger and healthier than before you got injured!
If you want to see how chiropractic can help with pain and injury, book an appointment with Chirostrength Twin Cities at 612-314-0268.
https://chirostrengthtc.janeapp.com/#staff_member/1
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Espí-López, G. V., Arnal-Gómez, A., Balasch-Bernat, M., & Inglés, M. (2017). Effectiveness of Manual Therapy Combined With Physical Therapy in Treatment of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Systematic Review. Journal of chiropractic medicine, 16(2), 139–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2016.10.003
Pollard, H., Ward, G., Hoskins, W., & Hardy, K. (2008). The effect of a manual therapy knee protocol on osteoarthritic knee pain: a randomised controlled trial. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 52(4), 229–242.
Rutland, M., O'Connell, D., Brismée, J. M., Sizer, P., Apte, G., & O'Connell, J. (2010). Evidence-supported rehabilitation of patellar tendinopathy. North American journal of sports physical therapy : NAJSPT, 5(3), 166–178.
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